Utility Pole + Overhead Systems (Sep 11-12)

Utility pole specialists will explain the advantages of each pole material as we explore the differences between the materials and discuss when to use each to its best advantage.

Utility pole specialists will explain the advantages of each pole material as we explore the differences between the materials and discuss when to use each to its best advantage.

Many utilities are gathering vast amounts of asset data, but how do they use that data to make decisions about their system? Collecting the data necessary to maintain a condition-based, predictive maintenance program which maximizes the life of wood pole assets is challenging over time, and more so with each additional variable, such as multiple decay zones and contractors. Xcel Energy will present their experience with developing key requirements for well-defined inspection data specifications with systems designed to provide consistency and accuracy of data. Bonneville Power Administration will present their experience with the development of Criticality, Health and Risk scores and their application to prioritizing work on the transmission system.

This session will consist of a panel of Asset Management specialists from several utilities West of the Cascades. Each utility will present on their Asset Management strategies with respect to pole replacements followed by a Q&A. Attend this session to learn about different techniques used for life extension of existing assets, the development of effective asset management practices, and other maintenance strategies to reduce life-cycle cost while maintaining transmission system performance.

This presentation will cover corrosion basics, mitigation options, restoration techniques and other key points of corrosion control programs. During the course of their service-life steel structures are subjected to significant environmental exposure. This exposure can have a detrimental impact on the service life of steel structure foundations. Foundations are critical components of all steel structure support systems and are therefore crucial to the national power grid as a whole. Advances in assessment methods and technologies can provide accurate assessment of the current condition of in-service foundations without the need for extensive excavation. Deterioration found on these structures can be categorized to allow utilities to better manage their response through a varied regimen of mitigation and restoration options. The development and management of systematic corrosion control programs can both conserve current costs and help avoid future costs.

This session will consist of a panel of Asset Management specialists from several utilities East of the Cascades. Each utility will present on their Asset Management strategies with respect to pole replacements followed by a Q&A. Attend this session to learn about different techniques used for life extension of existing assets, the development of effective asset management practices, and other maintenance strategies to reduce life-cycle cost while maintaining transmission system performance.

This session will discuss the details of the coordination necessary for utilities and telecom to work together to install, inspect, and maintain joint assets on individual poles. The presentation will be given jointly by the EWEB and PGE joint use coordinators. Topics covered include: EWEB and PGE standards – their similarities and differences, JU application process, make-ready timelines, should you use contractors or line crews to install, what training is needed/provided by utilities, what challenge is coming next, self-service options for carriers, (e.g. access to GIS pole database), pole top vs. comm space mounts candidate selection, and lessons learned to date.

This session will be an overview to discuss the growing challenges that are associated with multiple companies wanting to attach to utility poles.

Effective internal and external remedial treatments provide tools for arresting decay at groundline where it is most prevalent. Extending the service life of poles at groundline has resulted in older poles more likely to develop durability issues above the ground, especially near the pole top.   In this session, speakers from Portland General Electric and Idaho Power will discuss how they manage these above ground issues in the wet area West of the Cascades and the drier inland regions.

Inspecting the nation’s electrical and telecom infrastructure is challenging work for sure, but the impact on system safety, reliability and resiliency makes it a noble pursuit. Identifying perfectly good or obviously bad poles can be relatively easy, but everything in between requires substantially more technical expertise than most people would assume. In this presentation, Joel will discuss the important ingredients in the selection of a pole inspection candidate and the knowledge that makes them proficient. Whether you need to train one or a dozen pole inspectors, you will benefit from this information.

Asplundh Construction maintains more miles of ROW in the utility industry than any other contractor. Listen to their overview of how vegetation management best practices are changing as North American wildfires occur more frequently and in greater intensity than ever before.

Those wishing to serve on the next planning committee are welcome to attend